Noel Trainor

Noel Trainor has two families. One includes his wife and two daughters. The other is larger - it includes the entire staff of the Hilton Hawaiian Village in Waikiki and the larger Oahu community. Since 1994, Trainor has served as general manager of this beautiful resort and spa, while volunteering his time to about 30-plus different community service organizations and programs, two of which he founded.

“I’m so happy to be still here at the Hilton Hawaiian Village,” he says. “Every day I thank my lucky stars. We have great team members here, that makes it so great. Sometimes I can’t believe I’ve been here 22 years.”

In September of 1997, Trainor appeared on MidWeek’s cover and was dubbed the “Village Chief,” a title he still gets excited about. Since that time, the Ireland native has continued to keep busy at the HHV, lending a hand in the community, and he manages to squeeze in time to see his daughters’ play.

“This time of the year is busy at the hotel,” he explains, because this Saturday (April 22) is the Hawaii Foodbank Food Drive, which the Hilton supports, of course - Trainor founded the Hawaii Foodbank Hotel Coalition.

“It’s all part of our (effort) to be out there supporting families in the community. All hotels work with the Foodbank to raise money and food donations,” he says.

“The Foodbank is outstanding. We feed about 138,000 people a month. For every dollar collected we’re able to buy 20 pounds of food.”

HHV is also involved with the “Charity Walk” on May 20. Trainor served as past chairman of the event. The Hawaii Hotel and Lodging Association hosts this 28th annual fundraiser for local charities. Themed “A Walk for All Hawaii,” it takes place simultaneously on Oahu, Maui, Big Island and Kauai. Walkers stroll through 17 checkpoints in Waikiki enjoying food, games and live entertainment. For more information, visit www.charitywalk.orgor call 923-0407.

Also on the horizon for the Hilton is the revitalization of its lagoon, a new pool, new tower, as well as the recent opening of a wedding chapel.

“The village is going to continue to reinvent itself. Business is good,” Trainor says happily.

When he’s not busy chairing a committee or planning a community event with his Hilton family, Trainor spends time with his more “immediate” family - wife Lisa and two daughters, 16-year-old Leimomi and 9-year-old Leimana.

“We’re very busy as a family focusing on our children,” says the proud dad. “At Kamehameha School both (girls) are in the-play Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. They’re participating in that. Whenever the children are part of something like that, the whole family is involved.”